Image capturing control apparatus

ABSTRACT

There is provided an image capturing control apparatus including: a communication unit which communicates with a radiographic imaging apparatus which captures a radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation and generates image information indicating the captured radiographic image; a radiation irradiating unit which is provided with a radiation source for generating the radiation and irradiates the radiation from the radiation source; a storage unit which stores correction information for correcting the radiographic image generated by the radiographic imaging apparatus; and a controller which controls an alarm unit to issue an alarm in a case where the radiation source provided to the radiation irradiating unit or a part which influences irradiation by the radiation source is replaced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2008-251031 filed on Sep. 29, 2008, thedisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to an image capturing control apparatus.

2. Related Art

Recently, a flat panel detector (FPD) that is constructed by disposing aradiation sensitive layer on a thin film transistor (TFT) active matrixsubstrate has been put to practical applications. The FPD can directlyconvert a radiation into a digital data. A portable radiographic imagingapparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an “electronic cassette”) forgenerating image information indicating a radiographic image representedby a radiation irradiated by using the FPD and storing the generatedimage information has been put to practical applications.

Since the electronic cassette has a portability, a patient loaded on astretcher or a bed can be image captured. In addition, since an imagingportion can be adjusted by changing a position of the electroniccassette, even an immobile patient can be adaptively imaged.

In the electronic cassette, the embedded FPD or an amplifier circuit hasunique characteristics. In addition, the electronic cassette can becarried with a hand, and the electronic cassette can be connected toother control apparatuses (so called a “console”). Therefore, oneelectronic cassette can be circulatively used in other imaging rooms.

Therefore, in the console, data of correction such as shading correctionneed to be stored for every electronic cassette.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2001-37749 discloses atechnique of performing a process of correcting a captured image. Eachof electronic cassettes is designated with ID information, andcorrection tables corresponding to the ID information are stored in aconsole. A correction table corresponding to the ID information of aspecific electronic cassette connected to the console is searched, andthe captured image is corrected based on the correction table obtainedby the searching of the correction table.

In addition, JP-A No. 2003-210450 discloses a technique where correctioninformation of replacement parts such as an FPD is preliminarilyrecorded, and when a part is replaced, the preliminarily recordedcorrection information is transmitted to a flash memory of the replacedpart.

However, the shading correction is determined according to a combinationof a radiation source and the electronic cassette as well as theelectronic cassette. Therefore, in a case where the radiation source ofthe imaging apparatus is replaced, if the previous correction data forthe replacement is still used, an image quality of a radiographic imageobtained from the electronic cassette is lowered.

SUMMARY

The present invention is to provide an image capturing control apparatuscapable of suppressing an image quality of a radiographic image obtainedby a radiographic imaging apparatus from being lowered.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an imagecapturing control apparatus including:

a communication unit which communicates with a radiographic imagingapparatus which captures a radiographic image represented by irradiatedradiation and generates image information indicating the capturedradiographic image;

a radiation irradiating unit which is provided with a radiation sourcefor generating the radiation and irradiates the radiation from theradiation source;

a storage unit which stores correction information for correcting theradiographic image generated by the radiographic imaging apparatus; and

a controller which controls an alarm unit to issue an alarm in a casewhere the radiation source provided to the radiation irradiating unit ora part which influences irradiation by the radiation source is replaced.

According to the invention, a radiographic imaging apparatus whichcaptures a radiographic image represented by an irradiated radiation andgenerates image information indicating the captured radiographic imagecommunicates with a communication unit, and a radiation irradiating unitprovided with a radiation source for generating the radiation irradiatesthe radiation from the radiation source.

In addition, according to the invention, a storage unit storescorrection information for correcting the radiographic image generatedby the radiographic imaging apparatus.

In addition, according to the invention, a controller controls an alarmunit to issue an alarm in a case where the radiation source provided tothe radiation irradiating unit or a part which influences irradiation ofthe radiation source is replaced.

In this manner, according to the invention, by generating correctioninformation when an alarm is issued, it is possible to suppress an imagequality of a radiographic image obtained by the radiographic imagingapparatus.

In addition, each radiographic imaging apparatus may be designated byidentification information, and the storage unit may store thecorrection information for correcting the radiographic image generatedby a respective radiographic imaging apparatus for each radiographicimaging apparatus.

Each radiographic imaging apparatus and radiation source may berespectively designated by identification information,

the storage unit may store the correction information for correcting aradiographic image for each combination of a radiographic imagingapparatus and a radiation source, the image capturing control apparatusmay further comprise an acquisition unit which acquires theidentification information of a radiographic imaging apparatus which cancommunicate with the communication unit and identification informationof the radiation source which is provided to the radiation irradiatingunit, and

the controller may control the alarm unit to issue an alarm in a casewhere the correction information corresponding to the combination of theradiographic imaging apparatus and the radiation source, which isindicated by the identification information of the radiographic imagingapparatus and the radiation source acquired by the acquisition unit, isnot stored in the storage unit.

Further, at least one of the radiographic imaging apparatus or theradiation source may designated by identification information, and theother of the radiographic imaging apparatus or the radiation sourcestores identification information of the apparatus or device that hasbeen used in combination therewith,

wherein the image capturing control apparatus may further comprise anacquisition unit which acquires the identification information from theone of the radiographic imaging apparatus or the radiation source, and

wherein the controller may control the alarm unit to issue an alarm in acase where the identification information acquired by the acquisitionunit is not stored in the other of the radiographic imaging apparatus orthe radiation source.

In addition, the controller may control the radiation irradiating unitand the radiographic imaging apparatus to generate the correctioninformation after the alarm unit issues an alarm.

Further, the part may be one of a cathode, an anode, or a filter.

According to the invention, correction information for correcting theradiographic image generated by the radiographic imaging apparatus isstored in the storage unit, and if the radiation source disposed to theradiation irradiating unit or the part which influences irradiation ofthe radiation source is replaced, the alarm unit issues an alarm.Accordingly, when the alarm is issued, by generating correctioninformation, deterioration of the image quality of the radiographicimage obtained from the radiographic imaging apparatus can becontrolled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail based on the following figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a radiationinformation system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a layout of a radiographic imaging roomwhere a radiographic imaging system according to an exemplary embodimentis installed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an internal construction of anelectronic cassette according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration ofradiographic imaging system according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit view illustrating one pixel in aradiation detector according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a combinationdetermining process program according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a radiationsource according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Firstly, a configuration of a radiation information system 10 accordingto an exemplary embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating components of the radiologyinformation system 10 (hereinafter, referred to as an “RIS 10”)according to the exemplary embodiment.

The RIS 10 is a system for managing information such as diagnosisreservation and diagnosis record in the department of radiology of ahospital. The RIS 10 constitutes a portion of a hospital informationsystem (HIS).

In the RIS 10, a plurality of imaging-requesting terminals 12(hereinafter, referred to as a “terminal 12”), an RIS server 14, and aradiographic imaging system 18 installed in each radiographic imagingroom (or surgery room) in the hospital are connected to a hospitalintranet 16 that is a wired or wireless local are network (LAN). The RIS10 is constructed as a portion of a hospital information system (HIS) inthe same hospital. A HIS server (not shown) which controls a whole ofthe HIS is connected to the hospital intranet 16.

The terminal 12 is used by a doctor or a radiographic technologist whoinputs or searches for the diagnosis information or facility reservationinformation. The request (that is, reservation) for capturing aradiographic image is also input through the terminal 12. Each of theterminals 12 is constructed with a personal computer attached with adisplay apparatus. The terminals 12 are connected to the hospitalintranet 16 through the RIS server 14, so that the terminals 12 cancommunicate with each other.

The RIS server 14 receives the request for imaging from the terminals12. The RIS server 14 manages a schedule of capturing the radiographicimage in the imaging system 18. The RIS server 14 includes a database14A.

The database 14A includes attribute information (name, gender, date ofbirth, age, blood type, and patient ID, and the like) of a patient,other information (a disease history, a medical examination history,previously-captured images, and the like) of the patient, information (aserial number, a type, a dimension, a sensitivity, an availableto-be-imaged portion (details of available imaging request), a usestarting data, use times, and the like) of the electronic cassette 32 ofthe imaging system 18, and an environment for capturing the radiographicimage by using the electronic cassette 32, that is, the environment forusing the electronic cassette 32 (for example, a surgery room or animaging room dedicated to capturing the radiographic image).

The imaging system 18 performs capturing of a radiographic image inresponse to a command from the RIS server 14 according to manipulationof a doctor or a radiographic technologist. The imaging system 18includes a radiation generating unit 34 that irradiates a radiation X(which becomes an amount of radiation source) from a radiation source(refer to FIGS. 2 and 3) on an imaged object according to an exposurecondition, an electronic cassette 32 having a radiation detector 60(refer to FIG. 3) that detects the radiation X penetrating a patient andconverts the detected radiation into radiographic image information, acradle 40 that charges a battery embedded in the electronic cassette 32,and a console 42 that controls the electronic cassette 32, the radiationgenerating unit 34, and the cradle 40.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a layout of a radiographic imaging room44 where the imaging system 18 according to the invention is installed.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the radiographic imaging room 44, a rack 45 whichsupports the electronic cassette 32 at the time of radiographic imagingin an erect position and a bed 46 on which a patient lies at the time ofradiographic imaging in a lying position are disposed. The front spaceof the rack 45 is an imaging position 48 of the patient at the time ofradiographic imaging in the erect position, and the upper space of thebed 46 is an imaging position 50 of the patient at the time ofradiographic imaging in the lying position.

In the radiographic imaging room 44, in order to perform theradiographic imaging in the erect position as well as in the lyingposition with the radiation from a single radiation source 130, disposedis a movement supporting mechanism 52 which supports the radiationsource 130 to be rotated about a horizontal axis (direction of arrow Ain FIG. 2), to be moved in the vertical direction (direction of arrow Bin FIG. 2), and to be moved in the horizontal direction (direction ofarrow C in FIG. 2). The movement supporting mechanism 52 includes adriving source (not shown) for rotating the radiation source 130 aboutthe horizontal axis, a driving source (not shown) for moving theradiation source 130 in the vertical direction, and a driving source(not shown) for moving the radiation source 130 in the horizontaldirection.

The cradle 40 is provided with a receiving portion 40A which can receivethe electronic cassette 32.

At the standby time, the electronic cassette 32 is received in thereceiving portion 40A of the cradle 40 and the battery embedded thereinis charged. At the time of radiographic imaging, the radiographictechnologist takes the electronic cassette off from the cradle 40. Ifthe imaging posture is in the erect position, the electronic cassette 32is moved and positioned at the position 49 supported by the rack 45. Ifthe imaging posture is in the lying position, the electronic cassette 32is moved and positioned at the position 51 on the bed 46.

In the imaging system 18 according to the exemplary embodiment, theradiation generating unit 34 and the console 42 are connected with eachother through a cable, so that various kinds of information can bereceived and transmitted. In FIG. 2, the cables for connecting thesecomponents are omitted. In addition, various kinds of information can bereceived and transmitted through wireless communication between theelectronic cassette 32 and the console 42.

In the above description, the electronic cassette 32 is used in theradiographic imaging room 44, but the invention is not limited thereto.For example, the electronic cassette 32 can be used for diagnosis orround visit in a hospital.

FIG. 3 illustrates an internal construction of the electronic cassette32 according to the exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic cassette 32 has a casing 54 made of amaterial capable of penetrating a radiation X and has a water-resistant,hermetic structure. When the electronic cassette 32 is used in a surgeryroom, the electronic cassette 32 may be contaminated by blood orbacteria. Therefore, by sterilizing the electronic cassette 32 having awater-resistant, hermetic structure if needed, one electronic cassette32 can be repeatedly used.

Within the casing 54, a grid 58 for removing a scattered ray of theradiation X generated from the patient a radiation detector 60 fordetecting the radiation X penetrating the patient, and a lead plate 62for absorbing a back-scattered ray of the radiation X are disposedsequentially from the irradiation surface 56 of the casing 54 irradiatedwith the radiation X. Alternatively, the irradiation surface 56 of thecasing 54 may be constructed with the grid 58.

In addition, a case 31 which receives electronic circuits including amicrocomputer and a rechargeable secondary battery is disposed in oneend side of the inner portion of the casing 54. The radiation detector60 and the electronic circuits are operated by power supplied from thesecondary battery disposed in the case 31. Preferably, in order topreventing the irradiated radiation X from damaging various circuitsreceived in the case 31, a lead plate is disposed on the irradiationsurface 22 of the case 31.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of theradiographic imaging apparatus 18 according to the exemplary embodiment.

A connection port 34A for communicating with the console 42 is providedto the radiation generating unit 34. A connection port 42A forcommunicating with the radiation generating unit 34 is provided to theconsole 42.

The radiation detector 60 embedded in the electronic cassette 32 isconstructed by laminating a photoelectric conversion layer of absorbinga radiation X and converting the radiation into charges on the TFTactive matrix substrate 66. The photoelectric conversion layer is madeof, for example, an amorphous a-Se (amorphous selenium) containingselenium as a main ingredient (for example, a containing ratio of 50% ormore). When the radiation X is irradiated, the photoelectric conversionlayer converts the irradiated radiation into charges by generatingcharges (electron-hole pairs) having a charge amount corresponding tothe irradiated radiation X amount in an inner portion thereof. Theradiation detector 60 is not limited to the aforementioned constructionwhere the radiation is directly converted into the charges by using aradiation-charge conversion material such as the amorphous selenium.Alternatively, the radiation detector 60 may employ a construction wherethe radiation is indirectly converted into the charges by using afluorescent material and a photoelectric conversion device (photodiode).As the fluorescent material, gadolinium oxysulfide (GOS) or cesiumiodide (CsI) are well known. In this case, radiation-photon conversionis performed by using the fluorescent material, and after that,photoelectric conversion is performed by using the photoelectricconversion device such as a photodiode.

On the TFT active matrix substrate 66, plural pixel units 74 (in FIG. 4,the photoelectric conversion layers corresponding to the pixel units 74are diagrammatically indicated by photoelectric conversion units 72)including storage capacitances 68 which store the charges generated inthe photoelectric conversion layers and TFTs 70 which are used forreading out the charges stored in the storage capacitances 68 aredisposed in a matrix. The charges that are generated in thephotoelectric conversion layers due to the irradiation of the radiationX on the electronic cassette 32 are stored in the storage capacitances68 of the pixel units 74. Accordingly, the image information containedin the radiation X irradiated on the electronic cassette 32 is convertedinto the charge information to be stored in the radiation detector 60.

In addition, in the TFT active matrix substrate 66, disposed are aplurality of gate lines 76 which are disposed to extend in apredetermined direction (row direction) and used for turning on and offthe pixel units 74 and plural data lines 78 which are disposed to extendin a direction (column direction) perpendicular to the gate lines 76 andused for reading out the stored charges from the storage capacitances 68through the turned-on TFTs 70. Each of the gate lines 76 is connected toa gate line driver 80, and each of the data lines 78 is connected to asignal processing unit 82. When the charges are stored in the storagecapacitances 68 of the pixel units 74, the TFTs 70 of the pixel units 74are sequentially turned on in units of row by a signal applied from thegate line driver 80 through the gate lines 76. The charges stored in thestorage capacitances 68 of the pixel unit 74 of which TFTs 70 are turnedon are transmitted as a charge signal through the data lines 78 to beinput to the signal processing unit 82. Accordingly, charges stored inthe storage capacitance 68 of each pixel unit 74 are sequentially readout in units of row.

FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit view illustrating one pixel in theradiation detector 60 according to the exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the source of the TFT 70 is connected to the dataline 78. The data line 78 is connected to a signal processing unit 82.The drain of the TFT 70 is connected to the storage capacitance 68 andthe photoelectric conversion unit 72. The gate of the TFT 70 isconnected to the gate line 76.

The signal processing unit 82 includes a sample hold circuit 84 for eachdata line 78. The charge signal transmitted through each data line 78 isstored in the sample hold circuit 84. The sample hold circuit 84includes an OP Amp 84A and a condenser 84B to convert the charge signalinto an analog voltage. In addition, the sample hold circuit 84 isprovided with a switch 84C as a reset circuit that allows the twoelectrodes of the condenser 84B to be short-circuited so as to dischargethe charges stored in the condenser 84B.

A multiplexer 86 and an A/D converter 98 are sequentially connected tothe output side of the sample hold circuit 84. The charge signal storedin each sample hold circuit is converted into an analog voltage to besequentially (serially) input to the multiplexer 86. After that, thesignal is converted into digital image information by the A/D converter88.

An image memory 90 is connected to the signal processing unit 82 (referto FIG. 4). The image information output from the A/D converter 88 ofthe signal processing unit 82 is sequentially stored in the image memory90. The image memory 90 has a storage capacity of storing predeterminedframes of image information indicating the radiation information. Everytime when charges of each line are read out, image informationcorresponding to one read-out line is sequentially stored in the imagememory 90.

The image memory 90 is connected to a cassette controller 92 whichcontrols the entire operations of the electronic cassette 32. Thecassette controller 92 includes a CPU 92A implemented with amicrocomputer, a memory 92B including an ROM and an RAM, and anon-volatile storage unit 92C such as HDD and a flash memory. Eachelectronic cassette 32 is designated with identification information foridentifying the electronic cassette 32. The identification ID is storedin the storage unit 92C.

The cassette controller 92 is provided with a wireless communicationunit 94. The wireless communication unit 94 is in accordance with awireless local area network (LAN) represented by IEEE (Institute ofElectrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11a/b/g or the like. Thewireless communication unit 94 controls wireless communication ofvarious kinds of information with external apparatuses. The cassettecontroller 92 can wireless communicate with the console 42 through thewireless communication unit 94, so that various kinds of information canbe received/transmitted from/to the console 42. The cassette controller92 stores an imaging condition (described later) that is received fromthe console 42 and starts reading out charges based on the imagingcondition.

In addition, the electronic cassette 32 is provided with a power supplyunit 96. The aforementioned various circuits and components (the gateline driver 80, the signal processing unit 82, the image memory 90, thewireless communication unit 94, a microcomputer serving as the cassettecontroller 92, and the like) are driven by a power supplied from thepower supply unit 96. The power supply unit 96 is embedded with abattery (rechargeable secondary battery) in order not to interfere withthe portability of the electronic cassette 32. The various circuits andcomponents are supplied with a power by the charged battery.

The console 42 is constructed with a server computer. The console 42includes a display 100 which displays a manipulation menu, aradiographic image, or the like and a manipulating panel 102 having aplurality of keys, through which various kinds of information ormanipulation commands are input.

In addition, the console 42 according to the exemplary embodimentincludes a CPU 104 which controls the entire operations of theapparatus, an ROM 106 which stores various programs including a controlprogram, an RAM 108 which temporarily stores various kinds of data, anHDD 110 which stores various kinds of data, a display driver 112 whichcontrols displaying various kinds of information on a display 100, amanipulation input detector 114 which detects a manipulation state of amanipulating panel 102, a communication interface (I/F) unit 116 whichis connected to a connection port 42A to perform receiving/transmittingvarious kinds of information such as an imaging condition (describedlater) and state information of the radiation generating unit 34 throughthe connection port 42A and a communication cable 35 between thecommunication interface (I/F) unit 116 and the radiation generating unit34, and a wireless communication unit 118 which performsreceiving/transmitting various kinds of information such as imagecapturing control information and image information through wirelesscommunication between the wireless communication unit 118 and theelectronic cassette 32.

The CPU 104, the ROM 106, the RAM 108, the HDD 110, the display driver112, the manipulation input detector 114, the communication I/F unit116, and the wireless communication unit 118 are connected to each othervia a system bus. The CPU 104 can access the ROM 106, the RAM 108, andthe HDD 110. The CPU 104 can control displaying of various kinds ofinformation on the display 100 through display driver 112,receiving/transmitting of various kinds of information from/to theradiation generating unit 34 through the communication I/F unit 116, andreceiving/transmitting various kinds of information from/to theelectronic cassette 32 through the wireless communication unit 118. Inaddition, the CPU 104 can check a user's manipulation state of themanipulation panel 102 through the manipulation input detector 114.

The radiation generating unit 34 includes a radiation source 130 whichoutputs a radiation X, a communication I/F unit 132 whichreceives/transmits various kinds of information such as imagingconditions and state information of the radiation generating unit 34from/to the console 42, a radiation source controller 134 which controlsthe radiation source 130 based on the received imaging conditions, and aradiation source driving controller 136 which controls operations of themovement supporting mechanism 52 by controlling a power to be suppliedto driving sources provided to the movement supporting mechanism 52.

The radiation source controller 134 is constructed with a microcomputerto store the received imaging condition. The imaging condition receivedfrom the console 42 includes irradiation condition information such as atube voltage, a tube current, and an irradiation time or postureinformation indicating whether the imaging posture is in an erectposition or a lying position. If the imaging posture indicated by thereceived imaging condition information is in the erect position, theradiation source controller 134 controls the movement supportingmechanism 52 so that the radiation source 130 is disposed at the erectimaging position 53A (refer to FIG. 2, the position where the patient inthe imaging position 48 is irradiated from the side of the patient withthe emitted radiation) by the radiation source driving controller 136.If the imaging posture indicated by the received imaging conditioninformation is in the lying position, the radiation source controller134 controls the movement supporting mechanism 52 so that the radiationsource 130 is disposed at the lying imaging position 53B (refer to FIG.2, the position where the patient in the imaging position 50 isirradiated from the upper position of the patient with the emittedradiation) by the radiation source driving controller 136. Accordingly,the radiation X is irradiated from the radiation source 130 based on anexposure condition included in the imaging condition.

In addition, in the radiation generating unit 34 according to theexemplary embodiment, the radiation source 130 is detachably provided,so that the worn-out or disorder radiation source 130 can be replacedwith a new radiation source 130. The radiation source 130 is providedwith a non-volatile storage unit 130A such as an ROM and a flash memory.Each radiation source 130 is designated with identification informationfor identifying the radiation source 130. The identification ID foridentifying each radiation source 130 is stored in the storage unit130A. When the radiation source 130 is installed in the radiationgenerating unit 34, the storage unit 130A is connected to the radiationsource controller 134, so that the identification ID stored in thestorage unit 130A can be read out by the radiation source controller134.

Next, operations of the imaging system 18 according to the exemplaryembodiment are described.

The radiation detectors 60 and the radiation sources 130 embedded in theelectronic cassette 32 may have a variation in characteristics thereof.Therefore, in the radiographic images obtained from photographing, animage quality such as shading may be varied according to everycombination of the electronic cassette 32 and the radiation source 130.The console 42 stores in the HDD 110 the correction information forcorrecting the radiographic image for every combination of the radiationdetector 60 to the radiation source 130.

The radiation generating unit 34 is connected through a communicationcable 35 to the console 42. In the state of communication with theconsole 42, the radiation generating unit 34 transmits theidentification ID of the radiation source 130 stored in the storage unit130A through the communication cable 35 to the console 42.

In the state of communication with the console 42, the electroniccassette 32 transmits the identification ID of the electronic cassette32 stored in the storage unit 92C through wireless communication to theconsole 42.

When receiving identification ID from each of the electronic cassette 32and the radiation generating unit 34, the console 42 performs acombination determining process for determining a communication of theelectronic cassette 32 and the radiation source 130 indicated by theidentification ID.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a combinationdetermining process program executed by the CPU 104. The program isstored in a predetermined region of the ROM 106 or the HDD 110 inadvance.

In FIG. 6, in a step 200, it is determined whether or not the correctioninformation corresponding to a combination of the electronic cassette 32and the radiation source 130 indicated by identification IDs receivedfrom the electronic cassette 32 and the radiation generating unit 34 isstored in the HDD 110. If the result of the determination isaffirmative, the process is ended. If the result of the determination isnegative, the process proceeds to a step 202.

In the step 202, since the combination of the electronic cassette 32 andthe radiation source 130 is a new combination, an alarm for urgingcalibration is displayed on the display 100, and the process is ended.

In the imaging system 18 according to the exemplary embodiment, thecalibration is performed by setting a distance (SID) between theelectronic cassette 32 and the radiation source 130 in an erect positionof the imaging posture to a predetermined imaging distance andirradiating the radiation from the radiation source 130 in apredetermined exposure condition.

If the alarm of urging the calibration is displayed on the display 100,the radiographic technologist mounts the electronic cassette 32 on therack 45 and performs a predetermined manipulation of commanding thestart of calibration on the manipulation panel 102 of the console 42.

If the predetermined manipulation of commanding the start of calibrationis performed on the manipulation panel 102, the console 42 transmits tothe radiation generating unit 34 and the electronic cassette 32 theimaging condition including the imaging posture set to the erectposition, the predetermined imaging distance set to the distance betweenthe electronic cassette 32 mounted on the rack 45 and the radiationsource 130, and the exposure condition set to a predetermined exposurecondition for calibration. Accordingly, the radiation source controller134 controls the movement supporting mechanism 52 so that the radiationsource 130 is moved to be in the imaging posture for the calibrationdesignated by the received imaging condition.

When the radiation source 130 is in the imaging posture for thecalibration, the console 42 transmits the command information indicatingthe starting of exposure to the radiation generating unit 34 and theelectronic cassette 32. Accordingly, the radiation source controller 134controls the radiation source 130 to irradiate the radiation X based onthe exposure condition included in the imaging condition.

The radiation X irradiated from the radiation source 130 is incident onthe electronic cassette 32. Accordingly, charges are stored in thestorage capacitance 68 of each pixel unit 74 of the radiation detector60 embedded in the electronic cassette 32.

After elapse of an irradiation time designated by the imaging conditionfrom the time of receiving of the command information indicating thestarting of exposure, the cassette controller 92 of the electroniccassette 32 controls the gate line driver 80 to output ON signal to eachgate line 76 sequentially in units of one line from the gate driver 80,so that the TFTs 70 connected to the gate lines 76 are turned ONsequentially in units of one line. In the radiation detector 60, whenthe TFTs 70 connected to the gate lines 76 are sequentially turned ON inunits of one line, the charges stored in the storage capacitance 68 areflown as charge signals into the data lines 78 in units of one line. Thecharges flown into each data line 78 are input to each sample holdcircuit 84 to be converted into a voltage signal. The converted voltagesignal is sequentially (serially) input to the multiplexer, so that thevoltage signal is converted into digital image information by the A/Dconverter. The image information is stored in the image memory 90. Thecassette controller 92 transmits to the image information stored in theimage memory 90 through wireless communication to the console 42.

The console 42 generates various kinds of correction information such asshading information based on the received image information and storesin the HDD 100 the correction information corresponding to a combinationof the radiation detector 60 and the radiation source 130 indicated bythe previously received identification ID.

Next, a procedure of radiographic imaging in the RIS 10 according to theexemplary embodiment is described in brief.

A terminal 12 (refer to FIG. 1) receives a request for imaging includingenvironment information from the doctor or the radiographictechnologist. The request for imaging designates an environment wherethe electronic cassette 32 is used, date of imaging, and imagingcondition.

The terminal 12 notifies details of the received request for imaging tothe RIS server 14. The RIS server 14 stores the details of the requestfor imaging notified from the terminal 12 to the database 14A.

The console 42 accesses the RIS server 14 to acquire the details of therequest for imaging and the associated environment information from theRIS server 14 and displays the details of the request for imaging on thedisplay 100. In addition, the console 42 transmits the imaging conditionof the current radiographic imaging to the radiation generating unit 34and the electronic cassette 32. Accordingly, the radiation sourcecontroller 134 of the radiation generating unit 34 controls theradiation source driving controller 136 so that the radiation source 130is disposed at the position corresponding to the imaging posturedesignated by the received imaging condition.

The doctor or the radiographic technologist starts radiographic imagingbased on details of the resuest for imaging displayed on the display100.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a case where radiographic imaging is performed onan affected portion of the patient in the lying position on the bed 46,the doctor or the radiographic technologist disposes the electroniccassette 32 between the bed 46 and the affected portion according to theto-be-imaged portion and angle and disposes the radiation generatingunit 34 over the affected portion. In addition, the doctor or theradiographic technologist performs a manipulation of designating anexposure condition such as a tube voltage, a tube current, and anirradiation time, and the like at the time of irradiating the radiationX on the manipulation panel 102 of the console 42 according to theto-be-imaged portion of the patient and the imaging condition. When theimaging condition is changed, the console 42 transmits the imagingcondition including a changed exposure condition to the radiationgenerating unit 34 and the electronic cassette 32.

When the imaging preparation of the radiation generating unit 34 iscompleted, the doctor or the radiographic technologist performs amanipulation of commanding the imaging on the manipulation panel 102 ofthe console 42. If the manipulation of commanding the imaging isperformed on the manipulation panel 102, the console 42 transmitsinformation of commanding the starting of exposure to the radiationgenerating unit 34 and the electronic cassette 32. Accordingly, theradiation source 130 generates and emits the radiation having aradiation amount corresponding to the exposure condition included in theimaging condition information which the radiation generating unit 34receives from the console 42.

The radiation X irradiated from the radiation source 130 penetrates thepatient, and after that, the radiation X is incident on the electroniccassette 32. Accordingly, charges are stored in the storage capacitance68 of each pixel unit 74 of the radiation detector 60 embedded in theelectronic cassette 32.

The charges stored in the storage capacitance 68 of each pixel unit 74in the radiation detector 60 are read out by the gate line driver 80 andthe signal processing unit 82 and converted into the image information.The image information is stored in the image memory 90. The imageinformation stored in the image memory 90 is transmitted throughwireless communication to the console 42.

The console 42 reads out from the HDD 110 the correction informationcorresponding to a combination of the radiation detector 60 andradiation source 130 that are used for the imaging. The console 42performs an image process of correcting the received image informationwith the correction information and stores the corrected imageinformation to the HDD 110. The image information stored in the HDD 110is displayed on the display 100 so as to be used for checking thecaptured radiographic image and, at the same time, transmitted to theRIS server 14 so as to be stored in the RIS database. Accordingly, thecaptured radiographic image is displayed on the terminal 12, so that thedoctor performs reading of the radiographic image and diagnosis.

In this manner, according to the exemplary embodiment, the correctioninformation for correcting the radiographic image for every combinationof the electronic cassette 32 and the radiation source 130 is stored inthe HDD 110. In a case where the correction information corresponding tothe combination of the electronic cassette 32 which used for imaging ina communicatable manner through the wireless communication unit 118 andthe radiation source 130 which is provided to the radiation generatingunit 34 is not stored in the HDD 110, an alarm is issued. If the alarmis issued, by generating the correction information corresponding to thecombination of the electronic cassette 32 and the radiation source 130,deterioration of an image quality of the radiographic image obtained bythe electronic cassette 32 can be suppressed.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the invention is adapted to theelectronic cassette, that is, a portable radiographic imaging apparatus,but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the invention mayalso be adapted to a stationary radiographic imaging apparatus. Inaddition, the communication between electronic cassette 32 and theconsole 42 may be wired communication.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the calibration of theimaging system 18 is performed in the erect imaging posture, but theinvention is not limited thereto. For example, the calibration may beperformed in the lying imaging posture.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the electronic cassettes32 and the radiation sources 130 are designated with identification IDsand the correction information for correcting the radiographic image forevery combination of the electronic cassette 32 and the radiation source130 is stored in the HDD 110, but the invention is not limited thereto.For example, in a case where one radiation generating unit 34 and oneelectronic cassette 32 are used for the radiation information system 10,the correction information for correcting the radiographic imagegenerated by the electronic cassette 321 is stored in the HDD 110. Whenthe radiation source 130 installed in the radiation generating unit 34is replaced, an alarm for urging updating of the correction informationmay be issued. In a case where a combination of the radiation generatingunit 34 and the electronic cassette 32 is fixed, both thereof are notnecessarily designated with the identification IDs.

In addition, in a case where one radiation generating unit 34 and aplurality of the electronic cassettes 32 is used for the radiationinformation system 10, the correction information for correcting theradiographic image generated by each electronic cassette 32 for everyelectronic cassette 32 is stored in the HDD 110. When the radiationsource 130 installed in the radiation generating unit 34 is replaced, analarm for urging updating of the correction information may be issued.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the electronic cassettes32 and the radiation sources 130 are designated with identification IDs.However, alternatively, the one of each electronic cassette 32 and eachradiation source 130 is designated with identification ID, and the otherthereof stores identification ID which is used for the only combinationthereof. The identification ID is acquired from the one of theelectronic cassette 32 and the radiation source 130. If the acquiredidentification ID is not stored in the other of the electronic cassette32 and the radiation source 130, an alarm may be issued.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, when the radiationsource 130 is replaced, an alarm is issued, but the invention is notlimited thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the radiation source130 includes a cathode 142 having a filament and a target (anode) 144made of molybdenum (Mo) in a casing 140. Thermal electrons emitted fromthe cathode 144 are accelerated and focused by a potential differencebetween the cathode and the anode to collide against the target 144, sothat the X-ray is generated. The generated X-ray is irradiated out froma beryllium window 146 provided to the casing 140. In the radiationsource 130 shown in FIG. 7, a membrane of molybdenum or rhodium (Rh) asa filter is disposed over the window 146. In the radiation source 130,the cathode 142, the target 144, or the filter 148 other than the entireradiation source 130 may be replaced. If the cathode 142, the target144, or the filter 148 is replaced, the characteristics of the radiationirradiated from the radiation source 130 may be varied. Therefore, in acase where the cathode 142, the target 144, or the filter 148 isreplaced, an alarm may be issued.

Further, the radiation source 130 may be provided with a collimator (notshown) which limits radiation region, and an alarm may be issued whenthe collimator is replaced.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the alarm is displayedon the display 100, so that the alarm can be issued to the doctor or theradiographic technologist, but the invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, an alarm sound may be output by using a sound reproducingapparatus such as a speaker, or an alarm text may be output. Inaddition, a combination of the alarm displaying on the display 100, thealarm sound output from the speaker, and the alarm text output may beused.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the console 42 receivesthe identification ID stored in the storage unit 130A of the radiationsource 130 through the communication cable 35, and the console 42receives the identification ID of the electronic cassette 32 stored inthe storage unit 92C through wireless communication, but the inventionis not limited thereto. For example, the identification ID may beacquired by reading out code information that is formed by coding theidentification ID attached on a surface of the radiation source 130 orthe electronic cassette 32. Alternately, the identification ID may beacquired by inputting the identification ID.

In the above exemplary embodiment, the construction (refer to FIG. 1) ofthe radiation information system 10, the construction (refer to FIGS. 2and 4) of the imaging system 18, and the construction (refer to FIG. 3)of the electronic cassette 32 are exemplary ones. Therefore, theseconstructions may be modified without departing from the sprit and scopeof the invention.

In addition, in the above exemplary embodiment, the procedure (refer toFIG. 6) of the combination determining process program is also anexemplary one. Therefore, these constructions may be modified withoutdeparting from the sprit and scope of the invention.

1. An image capturing control apparatus comprising: a communication unitwhich communicates with a radiographic imaging apparatus which capturesa radiographic image represented by irradiated radiation and generatesimage information indicating the captured radiographic image; aradiation irradiating unit which is provided with a radiation source forgenerating the radiation and irradiates the radiation from the radiationsource; a storage unit which stores correction information forcorrecting the radiographic image generated by the radiographic imagingapparatus; and a controller which controls an alarm unit to issue analarm in a case where the radiation source provided to the radiationirradiating unit or a part which influences irradiation by the radiationsource is replaced.
 2. The image capturing control apparatus of claim 1,wherein each radiographic imaging apparatus is designated byidentification information, and wherein the storage unit stores thecorrection information for correcting the radiographic image generatedby a respective radiographic imaging apparatus for each radiographicimaging apparatus.
 3. The image capturing control apparatus of claim 1,wherein each radiographic imaging apparatus and radiation source isrespectively designated by identification information, wherein thestorage unit stores the correction information for correcting aradiographic image for each combination of a radiographic imagingapparatus and a radiation source, wherein the image capturing controlapparatus further comprises an acquisition unit which acquires theidentification information of a radiographic imaging apparatus which cancommunicate with the communication unit and identification informationof the radiation source which is provided to the radiation irradiatingunit, and wherein the controller controls the alarm unit to issue analarm in a case where the correction information corresponding to thecombination of the radiographic imaging apparatus and the radiationsource, which is indicated by the identification information of theradiographic imaging apparatus and the radiation source acquired by theacquisition unit, is not stored in the storage unit.
 4. The imagecapturing control apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of theradiographic imaging apparatus or the radiation source is designated byidentification information, and the other of the radiographic imagingapparatus or the radiation source stores identification information ofthe apparatus or device that has been used in combination therewith,wherein the image capturing control apparatus further comprises anacquisition unit which acquires the identification information from theone of the radiographic imaging apparatus or the radiation source, andwherein the controller controls the alarm unit to issue an alarm in acase where the identification information acquired by the acquisitionunit is not stored in the other of the radiographic imaging apparatus orthe radiation source.
 5. The image capturing control apparatus of claim1, wherein the controller controls the radiation irradiating unit andthe radiographic imaging apparatus to generate the correctioninformation after the alarm unit issues an alarm.
 6. The image capturingcontrol apparatus of claim 1, wherein the part is one of a cathode, ananode, or a filter.